CHRIS TOMLINSON has been told he has to medal at the European Championships – but insists he will be disappointed for himself and no-one else if he doesn’t.

The 28-year-old will make his 11th appearance at a major outdoor international meet in Barcelona desperate to improve on his best ever finish of fifth at the Olympics in 2004.

Tomlinson greatest success has come indoors, where from six major outings he has jumped to a best of silver at the World Championships in Valencia in 2008.

The Middlesbrough long jumper’s personal best stands at 8.29m set in 2007, with his legal best this year well down at just 8.04m, set on route to gold at last month’s European trials.

Tomlinson’s has perennially reached major championships but failed to medal, but the North East ace is playing down such external pressures.

“I have been speaking to a few people who keep saying ‘I’ve got to get a medal, I’ve got to get a medal’,” said Tomlinson – who has been selected for the Aviva GB & NI Team and is at an Aviva-funded pre-event preparation camp in Portugal.

“So I guess the level of athlete I have been over the last few years there is definitely an expectation that I should medal at the European Championships.

“Whereas at something like the World Championships there is just more of an expectation that I should make it through to the final.

“I will be disappointed if don’t get a medal in Barcelona for my own sake, though, rather than because what anyone else expects.

“I haven’t really thought too much about the Europeans to be honest. I decided not to think about them until I arrived in Portugal so I guess it is time to think about them now.”

Aviva’s support, both at home and abroad, is helping the team prepare to compete at their best. Watch the Aviva GB & NI Team live in action at the Aviva London Grand Prix. For more details visit www.aviva.co.uk/athletics